Jab-free diabetes test could be a life-saving breakthrough

A NEW device could save the lives of ­diabetics and slash NHS treatment costs.

The stick-on sensor, about the size of a 2p piece, replaces the need for daily finger-­pricking jabs to monitor blood glucose levels.

The breakthrough gadget, worn at the back of the upper arm, ­monitors glucose levels and gives the wearer an instant display on a pager-sized reader.

It can collect data for up to 14 days. This can then be downloaded to give doctors vital information that could save patients’ lives and lower the risk of complications.

More than three million Britons have diabetes, costing the NHS £10billion a year.

Many do not maintain correct glucose levels because they ­struggle to perform the finger-pricking jabs four times a day.

Dr Gerry Rayman, from Ipswich Hospital, who last week started an advanced trial of the new device with patients, said: “Finger-­pricking is a hassle and can be embarrassing. Many people forget to do it so don’t have a complete ­picture of their condition. Failing to control long-term ­diabetes can cause diabetic ­retino­pathy, renal failure and foot comp­lications that can lead to ­amputation.

“Everyone with diabetes is at risk – but it is significantly reduced with good control.

“This system will help people ­considerably because it will be so much easier for them to work with. I have a 12 year-old patient who has had diabetes for five years. She has been very good but has just hit a brick wall and cannot continue with finger-sticking. Her fingers are all ­calloused and painful.

Proper monitoring can make all the difference to diabetics [GETTY]

Finger-­pricking is a hassle and can be embarrassing

Dr Gerry Rayman, from Ipswich Hospital

“People tend to test intermittently and at very variable times so it is not possible to build up a picture of their daily pattern. This will help them to better tailor their insulin and other activities to avoid hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemic events.”

The Libre sensor, made by inter­national healthcare company Abbott, works for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It will be especially useful for drivers who need to check levels regularly to ensure they are not at risk of passing out at the wheel.

It was devised by British scientist, Jared Watkin, of Abbott’s diabetes care ­division. He said: “We wanted to make it ­easier for the patient to test and for medical teams to assess data and provided targeted advice.”

The lightweight device collects data from a 5mm prong that reaches under the skin and reacts with fluids to draw an accurate reading of glucose levels.

The sensor can store up to eight hours’ worth of data before it needs downloading for analysis. It works through clothing, even ski jackets.

Abbott has applied for a licence to use the device and will be pressing for it to be adopted by the NHS.

It will be manufactured at the ­company’s base in ­Witney – one of the largest ­employers in David Cameron’s Oxfordshire constituency – and could lead to more jobs. The firm has ­reopened its graduate-training scheme to cope with the potential increase in business.

Dr Rayman, who is leading the UK part of a 210-patient European trial, which will report next year, said: “Van drivers are supposed to test every two hours but now they will be able to test every 15 minutes and it will be so much safer.

“We spend too much money on acute complications from diabetics going hypo, crashing cars and ending up in A&E.”

The device could be on sale later this year if it gets approval, but will then have to be judged by NICE, the Government’s drug and medical device assessment authority, before it can be made available on the NHS.

Douglas Twenefour, of Diabetes UK, said: “We welcome any ­innovation that can relieve people with diabetes from the daily grind of constantly ­having to test blood glucose levels, especially any technology that is less invasive. We eagerly await the results of the trials.”